2021 FORD BRONCO
Price: $28,500 | ETA: Mid-The smaller, more affordable
Bronco Sport is out now, but it
lacks the off-road prowess that
makes the main Bronco such a big
deal. Specifically, it has an electro-
mechanical transfer case, which
shifts automatically between 2H
and 4H, eliminating uncertaintyabout when to engage the former.
Electronic locking front differen-
tials and the seven-speed manual’s
94.75:1 crawl ratio will permit the
tackling of the gnarliest terrain.
And a single-pedal drive mecha-
nism will make precision throttle
and brake application more forgiv-
ing. All that means the Bronco will
keep novices out of trouble, while
allowing off-road pros to push
their trail bashing.The Most
Anticipated
Cars of
2021
L
IKE MOST INDUSTRIES, AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING TOOK
a beating in 2020. Sales dropped as buyers scaled back spending.
Factories struggled to keep assembly lines moving in the face of
new safety requirements and supplier disruptions. Since then,
however, the automobile has regained its mojo. Daily commuting
is still down, but interest in new electric and performance vehicles
has helped keep consumer appetite strong. People still need, and
want, cars. Of the new models arriving this year, here are five that have
our editors’ attention.10 March/April 2021
2022 SUBARU BRZ
Price: $30,000 (est.) | ETA: Fall 2021
The second generation of this fun and eminently
tossable little sports car will arrive with added
power and chassis tweaks that will make it even
more fun and tossable. The BRZ is a collabora-
tion between Subaru and Toyota, which sells
its own version as the 86—the design comes
mostly from Toyota, while Subaru manages the
engineering. A larger 2.4-liter boxer engine pro-
duces 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque,
a 15 percent boost. Meanwhile, front-end rigid-
ity is up by 60 percent. Those upgrades will help
drivers keep control and modulate power deliv-
ery, while optional Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires on
18-inch rims will stay nice and grippy when cor-
nering. Cars like this are a godsend to buyers
who want affordable performance that’s never-
theless engineered to a high level.
Cars &
(^3) Trucks
// BY ERIC A DA MS //